Android TV Box

[xiaofan]

The prices quoted are for reference only.

1. Generic boxes
Reference Taobao price for some popular boxes. You will need to add GST and Shipment fees if you buy from Taobao. Since most of these boxes are below S$100, roughly the price in Lazada/Shopee/Qoo10 will be about S$5-10 higher. Most users should opt for local online market place and not Taobao.

1) Low cost: below S$50

Tanix TX3 Mini, S905W CPU, 1GB/16GB --RMB 138, S$28, not recommended to buy box with 1GB memory.

Tanix TX3 Mini, S905W CPU, 2GB/16GB -- RMB 165, S$33 (Recommended buy for low budget)

Tanix TX3 Max, S905W 2GB/16GB -- RMB 175, S$37
(Recommended buy for low budget)

Tanix TX6, H6 CPU, 2GB/16GB -- RMB170, S$34, not recommended due to thermal issue

Magicsee N5, S905X CPU, 2GB/16GB -- RMB200, S$40

2) Mid End, S$50-100

H96 Max Plus RK3328 CPU, 4GB/32GB, RMB 240 or S$48.

Tanix TX6 H6 CPU, 4GB/32GB -- RMB 260 or S$52, Not recommended due to thermal issue

(Recommended buy)
Tanix TX5 Max S905X2, 4GB/32GB -- RMB290 or S$58


Beelink GT1 Mini S905X2 CPU
2GB/32GB --RMB320 or S$64
4GB/32GB -- RMB380 or S$76 (Recommended buy)
4GB/64GB -- RMB 410 or S$82

Beelink GT1 Ultimate, S912 CPU, 3GB/32GB, RMB419 or S$84, better buy the S905X2 CPU.

Beelink GT1-A unofficial Android TV OS, S912 CPU, 3GB/32GB, RMB449 or S$$90, better buy S905X2 box.

3) High end, S$100 and above, do not buy in general unless you have some specific needs.

X99 RK3399 CPU, 4GB/64GB, RMB610 or S$122


2. Mi Box S, S905X CPU, 2GB/8GB, Netflix 4K and Google Chromecast function
Reference price for Mi Box S from Lazada: S$70-86, anything below S$75 is a good buy. Do not buy from Taobao. (Recommended buy)

3. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k, Netflix 4K
Reference price from Amazon US, US$50.

4. Nvidia Shield TV, Netflix 4K, Google Chromecast, Gaming
Reference price from Amazon US

Shield TV with remote: US$170
Shield TV with remote and Game Controller: US$186
Shield TV Game Contriller: US$59

 

[s3856]

8) Preloaded boxes like UnblockTech Ubox with relative comprehensive live TV app UBTV and they try to support it even though UBTV is ordered by high court to be blocked by local ISPs. Not recommended but I can see why people still go for it. EVpad is another popular brand in this category

Hi. Anyone bought above mentioned Ubox Pro2 and confirmed IPTV live is blocked by ISPs as ordered by high court? I am thinking of getting for in-law. Thanks.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi. Anyone bought above mentioned Ubox Pro2 and confirmed IPTV live is blocked by ISPs as ordered by high court? I am thinking of getting for in-law. Thanks.

It is blocked. But there are are workarounds now.

You can check the thread here.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...sion-thread-ii-[consolidated]-5538179-98.html

 

[windwaver]

It is blocked. But there are are workarounds now.

You can check the thread here.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...sion-thread-ii-[consolidated]-5538179-98.html

The blocking will take place from time to time and UnblockTech will bypass. I think this cat and mouse game will go on forever.

 

[martinLam]

Your comments about free VPN is in general correct.

However we are talking about a specific usage which is China geo-blocked content here. Transocks and SpeedIn are the two main choices. Both are not really free. Transocks has an ads supported option with in-app purchase to remove ads, and a pro version which is paid only. SpeedIn has a free line but all the other lines are paid only.

China Tunnel is no more (other than the version bought over by Unblock Tech). The author has developed ChinaTunnel VPN, a paid only app.

All these three solution are only recommended for single purpose -- to access China geo-blocked content, not for other purpose.

All the major more well-known VPN apps are not good at this purpose as far as I know. Transocks and SpeedIn are approved by the Chinese authority to provide this specific service which aims more to overseas Chinese community.

"Transocks and SpeedIn are approved by the Chinese authority" that is what is fishy here. Authorities approving only a few VPN services of their choice surely means they have their eyes over the activity of the user. Which clearly eliminates the real purpose of VPN or encryption.

And I agree with the other point you said, however a few more services like ExpressVPN does work in China correct me if I'm wrong

 

[xiaofan]

"Transocks and SpeedIn are approved by the Chinese authority" that is what is fishy here. Authorities approving only a few VPN services of their choice surely means they have their eyes over the activity of the user. Which clearly eliminates the real purpose of VPN or encryption.

And I agree with the other point you said, however a few more services like ExpressVPN does work in China correct me if I'm wrong

Those VPN like Express VPN, Nord VPN and VPN.ac are working for different purpose -- for people inside China to bypass the Great Firewall and access outside world like Facebook and YouTube.

They do not work for accessing the Geo-blocked content inside China in general. Even if they have set up some servers inside China, they will hide the servers from the authority.

As already mentioned, Transocks and SpeedIn are only for accessing China Geo-blocked contents and not for privacy.

 

[gregory_choo]

"Transocks and SpeedIn are approved by the Chinese authority" that is what is fishy here. Authorities approving only a few VPN services of their choice surely means they have their eyes over the activity of the user. Which clearly eliminates the real purpose of VPN or encryption.

And I agree with the other point you said, however a few more services like ExpressVPN does work in China correct me if I'm wrong

Fishy or not, it should not be the concern. As long as it can unblock china content, it is recommended.

If you want to do illegal things, think twice again.

 

[xiaofan]

Amlogic has done a great job with S905X2 and there are many boxes with the CPU, beating competing chips like RK3328 and H6 and make them go down one notch to low end (just a bit higher than the S905X/S905L, higher than S905W).

Now S905X3 is said to come out soon and it supports HDMI 2.1.
https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/04/12/amlogic-s905x3-specifications-block-diagram/

https://androidtvbox.eu/new-amlogic-soc-s905x3-s905y3-s905d3-cortex-a55-coming-soon/

 

[mankind66]

Thanks xiaofan for the s905x2 recommendation.

Never use taobao as my Chinese and pinyin is not good enough.

Will go through most of the online platform to see which one is the cheapest plus good.

Posted with pocophone f1 HardwareZone Forums app

 

[mankind66]

S922 still not yet available and now S905x3 coming.

Now S905X3 is said to come out soon and it supports HDMI 2.1.
https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/04/12/amlogic-s905x3-specifications-block-diagram/

https://androidtvbox.eu/new-amlogic-soc-s905x3-s905y3-s905d3-cortex-a55-coming-soon/

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[xiaofan]

S922 still not yet available and now S905x3 coming.

S922X is on the high end to compete with Rockchip RK3399.

The real money for Amlogic (recently started IPO process in China) comes from S905W, S905X, S905L and S905X2, especially S905L where a lot of the Telecom IPTV boxes in China are using (along with Mi Box 4/4c in China). Amlogic is No 2 in IPTV/OTT box CPU vendor behind Huawei Hi-Silicon.

So S905X3 will be the focus.

 

[gregory_choo]

S922X is on the high end to compete with Rockchip RK3399.

The real money for Amlogic (recently started IPO process in China) comes from S905W, S905X, S905L and S905X2, especially S905L where a lot of the Telecom IPTV boxes in China are using (along with Mi Box 4/4c in China). Amlogic is No 2 in IPTV/OTT box CPU vendor behind Huawei Hi-Silicon.

So S905X3 will be the focus.

905x2 should be getting popular in the next few years.

905x3 will be used in hybrid boxes with tv tuners, most people have no need for it.

 

[xiaofan]

905x2 should be getting popular in the next few years.

905x3 will be used in hybrid boxes with tv tuners, most people have no need for it.

https://androidtvbox.eu/new-amlogic-soc-s905x3-s905y3-s905d3-cortex-a55-coming-soon/

Actually S905D3 is for hybrid box, an upgrade to the old S905D.

S905X3 is the main family member just like S905X2 . S905Y3 is the one for stick format just like S905Y2.

1. S905 is the oldest member of S905 family.

2. S905X, S905L (no VP9), S905D (hybrid with digital tuner) and S905M2; previous generation. S905X is Very popular, used in Mi Box Global and Mi Box S. S905L is also very popular for China market.
S905W is the low cost version (4K 30fps).

3. S905X2, S905Y2; current generation

4. S905X3, S905Y3, S905D3; next generation

Not so sure why Amlogic needs to come out S905X3 so earlier. Maybe to please the investors.

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks to everyone who has helped! I've been doing more research and xiaofan, your earlier posts in this thread have been very useful, especially those on page 94. Like what you and others have mentioned, I should probably wait and get to experience the TV first before I decide.

In the event I do decide to get one of the boxes, I have narrowed down to Nvidia Shield, Mi Box S or Fire Stick.

You can take reference from here. Looks like your LG Oled TV can do most of the things you want with the built-in video player, including local/NAS media playing with Dolby Atmos.

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...s-supporting-dolby-true-hd-atmos-6026351.html

The problem there is the HDMI ARC limits the Dolby Atmos to the lossy Dolby DD+ encoding and not the lossless Dolby True HD.

Maybe your new LG 2019 OLED TV has the better HDMI 2.1 and eARC to have the lossless Dolby TrueHD delivery of Dolby Atmos.
https://www.whathifi.com/advice/lg-2019-tvs-8k-4k-oled-lcd-everything-you-need-to-know

With the built-in Airplay 2 support, you should be able to use your iOS device to cast to your TV as well for apps like Starhub Go or SingTel Cast.

 

[macateer]

Hi! Anyone has lobang for QYZB renewal? Need assistance to renew 2 of my accounts. My service provider has retired so looking out for a new one. Can PM me or reply to this thread thanks

 

[xiaofan]

Hi! Anyone has lobang for QYZB renewal? Need assistance to renew 2 of my accounts. My service provider has retired so looking out for a new one. Can PM me or reply to this thread thanks

IPTV subscription threads
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...es-13/paid-iptv-android-tv-box-5055948-7.html

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...no-traffic-sniffing-part-2-a-5278938-190.html

More popular IPTV subscriptions include Cloud TV, Dragon TV, myiptv 4k, Hao HD, etc. Just take note they may be blocked any time if there are IP rights holder complaints which can trigger high courts to order ISPs to block them, like Ubox UBTV.

QYZB 全有直播 seems to be this one. You can try the contact in the website.
http://www.asiadvb.cn

 

[mankind66]

Hi xiaofan

For tx5 max, is it recommended to buy the tanix brand?
Other brands are cheaper.

Thanks

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[xiaofan]

Hi xiaofan

For tx5 max, is it recommended to buy the tanix brand?
Other brands are cheaper.

Thanks

TX5 Max is from Tanix. Those without the Tanix logo are so called OEM version. As per Tanix, the OEM version is not fake (they have not found fake product so far). They prefer people buying the original version and say that there could be differences.

My two Tanix boxes from Taobao are the OEM version and I think they are okay, OTA FW updates work fine.

Gearbest Tanix official shop is selling boxes with Tanix logo.
https://www.gearbest.com/top-brands/brand/Tanix.html

Banggood is selling OEM version.
https://sea-m.banggood.com/Tanix-TX...uetooth4_2-1000M-LAN-4K-TV-Box-p-1416260.html

Geekbuying is selling a mixture of Tanix boxes, some with Tanix logo and some without.

BTW, Lazada price is on the high side now, previous price of S$75 is more fair price than the current S$89.5 price.

 

[Elon Jobs]

TX5 Max is from Tanix. Those without the Tanix logo are so called OEM version. As per Tanix, the OEM version is not fake (they have not found fake product so far). They prefer people buying the original version and say that there could be differences.

My two Tanix boxes from Taobao are the OEM version and I think they are okay, OTA FW updates work fine.

Gearbest Tanix official shop is selling boxes with Tanix logo.
https://www.gearbest.com/top-brands/brand/Tanix.html

Banggood is selling OEM version.
https://sea-m.banggood.com/Tanix-TX...uetooth4_2-1000M-LAN-4K-TV-Box-p-1416260.html

Geekbuying is selling a mixture of Tanix boxes, some with Tanix logo and some without.

BTW, Lazada price is on the high side now, previous price of S$75 is more fair price than the current S$89.5 price.

Can I check what are the advantages of a Tanix over a Mi box S, if any?

 

[xiaofan]

Can I check what are the advantages of a Tanix over a Mi box S, if any?

Read mybposts in page 94 of this thread to get more detailed answer.

Basically if you need Netflix or Chromecast (for SingTel Cast, Starhub Go, HBO Go, etc) offered by official Android TV OS, buy Mi Box S.

If not, then you can consider Tanix TX5 Max which has better HW specifications -- faster CPU, more memory, more storage, one more USB 3.0 port, Gigabit Ethernet.

You can say Tanix TX5 Max has better HW and Mi Box S has better software.

Mi Box S should be your first proper box if you do not have any boxes prior. But if you already have a Chromecast Ultra dongle or Sony Android TV, then you do not need Mi Box S in general.